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Some Existents [Absolute Unity and Intellectual-Principle]
remain at rest while their Hypostases, or Expressed-Idea, come
into being; but, in our view, the Soul generates by its motion,
to which is due the sensitive faculty- that in any of its
expression-forms- Nature and all forms of life down to the
vegetable order. Even as it is present in human beings the Soul
carries its Expression-form [Hypostasis] with it, but is not the
dominant since it is not the whole man (humanity including the
Intellectual Principal, as well): in the vegetable order it is
the highest since there is nothing to rival it; but at this phase
it is no longer reproductive, or, at least, what it produces is
of quite another order; here life ceases; all later production is
lifeless.
What does this imply?
Everything the Soul engenders down to this point comes into being
shapeless, and takes form by orientation towards its author and
supporter: therefore the thing engendered on the further side can
be no image of the Soul, since it is not even alive; it must be
an utter Indetermination. No doubt even in things of the nearer
order there was indetermination, but within a form; they were
undetermined not utterly but only in contrast with their perfect
state: at this extreme point we have the utter lack of
determination. Let it be raised to its highest degree and it
becomes body by taking such shape as serves its scope; then it
becomes the recipient of its author and sustainer: this presence
in body is the only example of the boundaries of Higher Existents
running into the boundary of the Lower.
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